Cushion construction



Dec. 26, 1939. E. MUDGE CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed OCL. 5, 1937INVENTOR. L'vslezrr Mahal:

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Patented Dec. 26|, 1939 UNITED STATES @PATENT or-FlcE CUsnIoNCONSTRUCTION Everett Mudge, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 5, 1937, Serial No. 167,357

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a cushionconstruction adapted for use on seats, seat backs, upholstered arms andthe like, in which a yieldable or cushion upholstered body is provided.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cushio'nconstruction which will be simple in structure, economical ofmanufacture, durable, easily and quickly assembled, and highly elcientin use.

In the construction of many types of cushions which are springsupported, it is customary to cover the spring assembly with a paddedbody. Experience has shown that these padded bodies often lump, that isthe filler of the pad gathers in separated lumps which results inuncomfortableness to the user and in a shortening of the life of thecushion construction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cushion construction inwhich the lumping and undesirable features resulting therefrom will beavoided.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cushion assemblywhich will retain its shape and be possessed of a comparatively longlife.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cushionconstruction which will be comfortably yieldable and yet which may bevery easily and quickly adapted to a change of supporting springs sothat varying degrees of exibility may be obtained.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a .pad which willengage the springs and which will be so constructed and arranged as toprovide a maximum amount of movement while at the same time retain thesprings in their operative relation.

Another object of the inventionis the provision of a flexible pad or mathaving reenforcing means embedded therein for resisting the thrustsdelivered thereto by the supporting springs.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a springconstruction of a spring engaging pad so reenforced and constructed asto retain its shape under ordinary conditions of use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pad-forming memberhaving a plurality of pockets faced outwardly from the under surfaceadapted fr engaging and retaining the upper ends of the supportingsprings in position.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of partshereinafter described and Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the inventiontaken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the invention. 1

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary prospective view of reinforcing frame used inthe invention.

In the drawing I have illustrated the invention used with a springassembly having a supporting frame I2 which is usually constructed ofwood or other similar material for the reception of tacks and the like.Secured to this frame I2 is a spring assembly frame I3 which is usuallyformed as a closed rectangular frame. Connecting the opposite sides I4and I5 of this spring assembly frame I3 are the cross bars I8 which areformed U- shaped in cross section and which are arranged in pairs facinginwardly of each other. The lower ends of the'coiled supporting springsI1 are engaged in the channels of the cross bars I6 and these cross barsare then crimped to retain the springs in fixed position thereon.

' The invention consists in the pad or spring engaging plate I8 which ispreferably formed from sponge rubber. It may, however, be made fromother kinds of rubber or from any suitable flexible material. Projectingdownwardly from the lower surface I9 oi the pad I8, are sleeves 20,these sleeves being arranged in spaced relation and located to conformto the location of the supporting springs Il. These sleeves 20, inconjunction with an apron 2| which is of greater width than the lengthof the sleeves 20 so that the lower edge of the apron 2 I is positionedbetween the ends of the cup-forming sleeves 20. Formed in the undersurface of the pad I8 in the juncture of the apron 2|, therewith, onopposite sides, is a groove 22. This groove is an endless groove and theend portions 22' are formed in the under surface of the pad I8 inwardlyfromthe apron. A connecting arcuate groove 23 is formed in the innerface of the pad I8 outwardly of the end portions 22', this arcuategroove 23 communicating at its ends with the end portions 22'.lPositioned in the groove 22 and the end portions 22 is an endless wire24 of sufcient rigidity to resist normal pressures which might beexerted upon the pad I8 tending to' draw it from its original shape. Awire 25 is positioned in the arcuate groove 23 and connected either byclips, spot welding or in any other suitable manner at its ends to thewire 24 solthat the end portions of the wire 24 are reenforced. Thus, Ihave mounted inwardly of the under surface of the pad I8, a wire frameextending around this pad and reenforced at its opposite end portions.

Embedded in the pad I8 so as to'lie just inwardly of the bottom of thegrooves 22 and 23, is

. a screen 26. This screen, while permitting acertain amount offlexibility in the pad I8, still serves as a means for reenforcing thesame and adding rigidity to it. This screen 'also serves to strengthenthe pad I8 and prevent a tearing or wearing of the same through thethrusts delivered thereto by the upper ends of the coiled springs I'I;

When mounted in position, the reenforcing rods 2'! which are connectedat one of their ends to the spring assembly frame I3, are connected attheir upper ends to the wire frame 25 at opposite sides thereof.llransversely extending grooves 28 are formed in the undersurface of theVpad I8 to permit the connection of'the upper ends of Athe rods`2'I tothe wire 24. These grooves 28 as shown also extend slightly into theinner face of the apron 2|. These reenforcing rods form braces toprevent relative displacement of the pad I8 and the spring assemblyframe I3. Thus, they function to provide a rigid comparatively fixedstructure, so far as lateral displacement is concerned, whileat the sametime they permit the approach and withdrawal of the pad I8 relatively tothe spring assembly frame I3 as well as the flexing of thepad I8 whichusually takes piace under normal conditions of use. An upholsteringcovering 29 is stretched over the entire assembly and tacked to thesupporting frame I2 so that all of the parts are enclosed and retainedin their relative operative position.`

When the pad I8 is exed relatively toA the plane of the spring assemblyframe I3, the sleeveforming cups will serve to retain the upper ends ofthe coiled springs in position and due to the fact that padding has beeneliminated above the supporting springs I1, a rubbing of the paddingmaterial is avoided. Consequently, the cushion will retain its shape andbe possessed of a greater life while at the same time the user will beafforded the comfort resulting from a structure having thesecharacteristics. Experience has shown that a durable structurelsprovided and that a puncturing of the pad II by the coiled springs ispractically eliminated.

From the description given, it is Ybelieved obvi-v ous that the memberI8, while preferably, formed from sponge rubber or the like, may beformed from other materials which would permit the necessary flexibilityand bending. 'I'he apron serves as an engagement body for theupholstering cover 28 whichl is drawn downwardly over the upper surfaceof the pad I8. l

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise detail ofstructure shown but desire to avail myself'of such variations andmodifications as may. come within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. In acushion construction of the class described, a flexiblepad-forming body; a plurality of spaced pockets on the under surface ofsaid body; means embodied in said body for reenforcing the same, saidbody having an endless groove formed on its under surface embracing andnoncommunicating with ,said pockets; and a reenforcing frame engaging insaid groove.

2. In a cushion construction -of the class described, a flexiblepad-forming body; a plurality apron;

of spaced pockets on the under surface of said body; means embodied` insaid body for reenforc. ing the same, said body having an endless grooveformed on its under surface embracing and noncommunicating with saidpockets; a reenforcing frame engaging in said groove; and means forreenforcing the ends of said reenforcing frame.

3. In a cushion construction of the class described, a flexiblepad-forming body; a plurality of spaced pockets on the under surface oisaid body; means embodied in saidlbody for reenforcing the same, saidbody having an endless .groove formed on its under surface embracing andnoncommunicating with said pockets; a reenforcing frame engaging in saidgroove; and means for reenforcing the ends of said reenforcing frame,said reenforcing means engaging in grooves formed in the undersurface oisaid flexible body.

4. In a cushion construction of the class described, a flexiblepad-forming bodyhaving a depending apron projecting downwardly from themarginal edges thereof, the under surface of said body having an endlessgroove formed therein, the sides thereof lying against the inner surfaceof said apron and the ends thereof being positioned inwardly from theinner surface of said apron, and a second groove positioned between eachof the ends of said endless groove and the apron; and a reenforcingstructure lying in sai groove.

5. In a cushion construction of the class described, a flexiblepad-forming body having a depending apron projecting downwardly from themarginal edges thereof, the under surface of said body having an endlessgroove formed therein, the sides thereof lying against the inner surfaceof said apron and the ends thereof being positioned inwardly from theinner surface of said apron, and a second groove positioned between eachof the ends of said endless groove and the apron; a reenforcingstructure lying in said groove; and a plurality of spaced pocket-formingmembers on said body and opening downwardly from the bottom thereof.

6. In a cushion construction of the class described, a flexiblepad-forming body having a depending apron `projecting downwardly fromthe marginal edges thereof, the under surface of said body having anendless groove formed therein, the sides thereof lying against the innersurface of said apron and the ends thereof being positioned inwardlyfrom the inner surface of said apron, and a second groove positionedbetween each of the ends of said endless groove and the a reenforcingstructure lying in said groove; a plurality of spaced pocket-formingmemberson said body and opening downwardly from the bottom thereof.

'1.-In a 'cushion construction of the class described, comprising apad-forming member having an endless groove formed on its under surfaceadjacent its edges, the end portion of said groove communicating with agroove extending substantially parallel thereto; a reenforcing frameengaged in said grooves; a plurality of cups projecting outwardly fromthe under surface of said pad-forming member; a spring assembly frame; aplurality of springs secured at one of their ends to said frame inspaced relation to 'each other and projecting upward Ay therefrom eachof said springs engaging at its upper end in one of said cups; and meansfor connecting the sides of said spring assembly frame to theoppositelydisposed sides of said reenforcing frame.

